Charles Smith

Mr. Charles Lawrence “Punk” Smith 79, of Mt. Airy passed away Friday, April 9, 2021 at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson.  He was born in Surry County on May 31, 1941 to the late Charlie Lee and Hallie Norman Smith.  Mr. Smith was the Maintenance Superintendent at Hugh G. Strickland for twenty-seven years.  He was also the owner of The Sportsman Lodge and later created Fire Tech in order to serve the fire industry.  Punk was a self-taught fire specialist teacher and designed training grounds for North Carolina community colleges and military bases.  It was his passion to help fellow fireman with their duties and safety for themselves and others.  He learned from his father how to give back to his community.  His love for the fire industry began in 1962 as a founding member of the Bannertown Fire Department.  Punk was the last living member.  His first love was his wife, Sara, of sixty-two years. He declared his enduring love until he could talk no more.  Even though he lost his dad at the age of eight, he knew the importance of family.  He took time to teach each of us life lessons and supported us unconditionally.  His wife, Sara Midkiff Smith, daughter Farah Davis, son David Smith, daughters Mary and Hal Hunter, Jeannine and Darold DuMond, Laura and Tim Shaw, and Johanna Smith, survives him.  Thirteen grandchildren: Chastiny, Zach, Teshia, Dakota, Dallas, Joseph, Ellie, Nick, Isabel, Sara, Julia, Russell, and Presley.  Nine great-grandchildren, Chance, Bailey, Brooks, Charlotte, Charlie, Elizabeth, Deacon, Brynnlee, and Mika; brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Kathleen Smith.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Hilda Jean Smith and Nita Jo Bullington, as well as daughter-in-law, Tonya Bowman Smith.  Punk will lie-in-state at Moody’s Monday, April 12, from 8:00am until 5:00 pm.  The family will receive friends at Moody’s Tuesday, April 13 from 12:00-1:30.  A Firefighter’s Procession will immediately follow leaving Moody’s to the Reeves Mill Road Bannertown Fire Department ending at Oakdale Cemetery.  Graveside service will begin at 2:00 pm.  A special thank you to Frankie Odum, his caregiver, Joe Smith his Hospice Social Worker, the Bannertown Fire Department, and the entire staff at Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to your local fire department or the Western North Carolina Alzheimer’s Chapter. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.